Henry Lawson

Our teacher in Year 5 primary school showed us a picture of Henry Lawson with his trademark walrus moustache.  "It's an impressive moustache," said Mr Buckley, "But it's a strain eating soup."  I decided then that teachers shouldn't try to be funny.

Henry Lawson is probably best remembered for his short story, The Drover's Wife, which has secured a place in Australian folk lore, but his poetry is as memorable.


ANDY'S GONE WITH CATTLE

Our Andy's gone with cattle now -
Our hearts are out of order
With drought he's gone to battle now
Across the Queensland border

He's left us in dejection now
Our thoughts with him are roving
It's dull on this selection now
Since Andy went a-droving

Who now shall wear the cheerful face
In times when things are blackest
And who shall whistle round the place
When Fortune frowns her blackest

Oh, who shall cheek the squatter now
When he comes round us snarling
His tongue is growing hotter now
Since Andy crossed the Darling

The gates are out of order now
In storms the 'riders' rattle
For far across the border now
Our Andy's gone with cattle

Poor Aunty's looking thin and white
And Uncle's cross with worry
And poor old Blucher howls all night
Since Andy left Macquarie.

Oh may the showers in torrents fall
And all the tanks run over
And may the grass grow green and tall
In pathways of the drover

And may good angels send the rain
On desert stretches sandy
And when the summer comes again
God grant 'twill bring us Andy.

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